EF0 Tornado Confirmed Near Etna, OH

Dangerous Cold Weather for Most of the Country; Rare Winter Storm for the South; Fire Weather Concerns for Southern California

Arctic air will filter south and east through early this week. As this cold air moves across the South, a rare winter storm is forecast to develop from Texas, Gulf Coast States into the Southeast through early this week. Several new daily record low temperatures are expected, including new record-low maximum temperatures. For Southern California, fire weather concerns increase this week. Read More >

Public Information Statement National Weather Service Wilmington OH 446 PM EST Wed Mar 1 2023 ...TORNADO CONFIRMED NEAR ETNA IN LICKING COUNTY OHIO... Start Location...3 WSW Kirkersville in Licking County OH End Location.....3 WSW Kirkersville in Licking County OH Date...........................February 27, 2023 Estimated Start Time...........4:41 PM EST Estimated End Time.............4:41 PM EST Maximum EF-Scale Rating........EF0 Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...75 mph Maximum Path Width.............90 yards Path Length....................0.3 miles Beginning Lat/Lon..............39.9491 / -82.6492 Ending Lat/Lon.................39.9530 / -82.6471 * Fatalities...0 * Injuries.....0 ...Summary... The National Weather Service in Wilmington Ohio has confirmed an EF0 tornado near Etna in Licking County, Ohio. A brief tornado occurred along Watkins Road SW, between Interstate 70 and US Route 40. Damage was very localized and consisted mostly of snapped or uprooted softwood trees. Despite the lack of numerous damage indicators, several trees were uprooted in a cross-directional orientation, nearly perpendicular to the direction of the tornado`s movement northeast. These trees, in combination with low elevation radar data from TCMH, provided enough evidence to support the determination of a tornado. Any damage further to the southwest or northeast of the damage on Watkins Road SW was either minimal or inconsistent to extend the track for this tornado. The National Weather Service would like to thank the Licking County Emergency Management Agency for their assistance. EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph * The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$ NM/JG